A new class action lawsuit has been filed against a cryptocurrency company accused of facilitating scams targeting older adults. The complaint, lodged by Tammy Dulin in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on November 25, 2025, accuses Athena Bitcoin, Inc. of knowingly enabling and profiting from impersonation and tech-support scams through its cash-to-crypto kiosks.
According to the complaint, Dulin fell victim to a scam on June 26, 2025, when she was deceived into depositing thousands of dollars into an Athena Bitcoin ATM at a Shell station in Marion, Ohio. The scam involved a “bank reimbursement/tech support” impersonation scheme where the scammer provided step-by-step instructions over the phone. The transactions were marked by characteristics that Athena itself acknowledges as common in scams: large deposits by first-time users under real-time pressure from criminals.
Athena Bitcoin is accused of having actual knowledge for years that its ATMs are used for such frauds but failing to implement reasonable safeguards. The company reportedly receives numerous fraud reports monthly and has described typical scam scenarios involving panic-inducing threats and continuous phone supervision by scammers. Despite this awareness, Athena allegedly relies on ineffective passive warnings instead of active measures like transaction holds or verifications.
The lawsuit seeks monetary compensation and injunctive relief to compel Athena to adopt more robust fraud prevention measures. These include implementing transaction holds, enhanced identity verification, tiered limits based on risk profiles, and other safeguards designed to protect consumers from predictable misuse of their kiosks.
The case highlights broader concerns about ATM-enabled fraud targeting older adults—a trend documented by government agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and addressed by U.S. Senators who have called for greater transparency and consumer protections from companies like Athena.
Representing Dulin is DannLaw located at 15000 Madison Ave., Lakewood, OH 44107. The case is presided over by Judge [Name] under Case No. 3:25-cv-02587.
Source: 325cv02587_Dulin_v_Athena_Bitcoin_Inc_Complaint_Northern_District_Ohio.pdf
